Method of licensing functionality after initial transaction

ABSTRACT

Methods for licensing functionality after an initial transaction are provided. One such method is directed to licensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supply item including the step of prompting the customer to acquire a usage license for the supply item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to imaging, and, more particularly, to amethod of licensing functionality after an initial transaction.

2. Description of the Related Art

Imaging apparatus, such as ink jet printers and/or copiers,electrophotographic printers and/or copiers, and multifunction devices,have long been available to customers. Such imaging apparatus require asupply item, such as an ink jet printhead cartridge, ink tank, or tonercartridge, that provides a source of imaging substance, such as ink ortoner. Traditionally, a customer purchased an imaging apparatus orsupply item through an initial transaction realizing that thefunctionality, i.e., features, associated with the imaging apparatus orsupply item was fixed. For example, when the supply of ink of an ink jetprinthead cartridge was depleted, the customer would simply obtain a newcartridge at a retail outlet. Likewise, if a customer requiredadditional imaging functionality, e.g., additional printing modes,higher resolution or higher printing speed, beyond that of thecustomer's current imaging apparatus, the customer had no choice but topurchase a new imaging apparatus that included the additionalfunctionality.

What is needed in the art is a method of licensing functionality afteran initial transaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of licensing functionality afteran initial transaction.

The invention, in one form thereof, includes the method steps ofdetermining whether an initial licensed amount of an imaging substancein a supply item has been depleted, the supply item being subject to ausage license; informing a customer of the depletion of the imagingsubstance in the supply item; querying whether the customer would liketo renew the supply item; and if the customer chooses to renew thesupply item, the method further comprising the steps of the customerpurchasing a new license to renew the supply item; and the customerreceiving a new digital signature for the supply item.

In another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method ofperforming an e-commerce transaction through a communications linkbetween an e-commerce server and a customer. The method includes thesteps of initiating communications between the customer and thee-commerce server regarding a renewal of a supply item; the customersupplying to the e-commerce server predetermined information necessaryto generate a digital signature for the supply item; the customersubmitting a license fee to acquire a license to complete the renewal ofthe supply item; and the e-commerce server supplying the digitalsignature for the supply item.

In yet another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method forperforming a commerce transaction involving a remanufacturer and acustomer. The method includes the steps of the remanufacturer securing acapability to create digital signatures for supply items; submitting asupply item to the remanufacturer to receive a new digital signature;the customer submitting a fee to the remanufacturer; and theremanufacturer supplying a digital signature for the supply item.

In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method forlicensing after an initial transaction of a customer obtaining a supplyitem. The method includes the step of prompting the customer to acquirea usage license for the supply item.

In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method forlicensing extra functionality after an initial transaction including thesteps of a customer purchasing a multi-pack of supply items and alicense to use a first supply item of the supply items of themulti-pack; determining whether an imaging substance in the first supplyitem has been depleted; wherein if the first supply item is depleted,then performing the further steps of prompting the customer to install asecond supply item from the multi-pack, and prompting the customer toacquire a new license for the second supply item.

In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method forlicensing extra functionality after an initial transaction. The methodincludes the steps of providing an e-commerce server for communicatingwith a customer; monitoring usage of a first supply item; determiningwhether the first supply item is near empty; notifying a manufacturerthat the first supply item is near empty by initiating a communicationwith the e-commerce server; and the manufacturer responding to thenotifying by sending a new supply item to the customer.

In still another form thereof, the invention is directed to a method forlicensing extra functionality after an initial transaction, includingthe steps of providing a device with a predetermined range “A” to “N” ofimaging features, wherein “A” represents minimum available features forthe device and “N” represents maximum available features for the device;providing to a customer an available feature list for selection ofdesired features for the device; the customer making the selection ofthe desired features for the device and communicating the selection to amanufacturer of the device; and the manufacturer enabling the desiredfeatures selected for the device.

An advantage of the present invention is that licensing and/or featureselections are made to be convenient for the customer.

Another advantage is that, in some embodiments of the invention, thecustomer can customize the imaging apparatus and/or supply item tocorrespond to the customer's imaging needs or desires.

Yet another advantage is that, in some embodiments of the invention, thecustomer can upgrade the functionality of their current imagingapparatus and/or supply item without having to purchase a new imagingapparatus and/or supply item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic depiction of a system used in association withthe present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a flowchart of one method of the invention forlicensing extra functionality after an initial transaction.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an e-commerce transaction involving amanufacturer and a customer which may occur when practicing the methodof FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a commerce transaction involving an authorizedremanufacturer and a customer which may occur when practicing the methodof FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another method that licenses functionalityafter an initial transaction.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of yet another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of still another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction which may be applied toeither, or both, of an imaging apparatus and a supply item.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and suchexemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theinvention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a diagrammatic depiction of a system 10 used in association withthe present invention. System 10 includes an imaging apparatus 12, ahost 14 with a display 16, an e-commerce server 18 and, optionally, alocal server 22. Imaging apparatus 12 communicates with host 14 via acommunications link 24. Also, in embodiments that include local server22, local server 22 communicates with each of imaging apparatus 12 andhost 14 via communications link 24, with the aid of the extension ofcommunications link 24 depicted by a dashed line. E-commerce server 18communicates with host 14 via a communications link 26.

Imaging apparatus 12 may include, for example, a user interface 28, animage recording unit 30, a supply item 32 and an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC) 34. The ASIC 34 communicates with imagerecording unit 30 via a communications link 38. The ASIC 34 communicateswith supply item 32 via a communications link 40. Imaging apparatus 12can be, for example, an ink jet printer and/or copier, or anelectrophotographic printer and/or copier.

It is further contemplated that imaging apparatus 12 may be astand-alone multifunction imaging device that is not attached to host14, e-commerce server 18, or local server 22. However, the stand-alonemultifunction imaging device may facilitate the present invention asdescribed herein with customer interaction, if any, via user interface28. The stand-alone multifunction imaging device includes connectivityand processing capability sufficient to implement the various methods ofthe invention. In some implementations, however, e-commerce server 18may communicate directly with the stand-alone multifunction imagingdevice via a communication link 41, such as for example, a telephoneline connection.

In the context of the examples for imaging apparatus 12 given above,image recording unit 30 can be, for example, an ink jet printhead unitor an electrophotographic printing unit, and includes an imaging head 36used for forming an image on a substrate 42, such as a sheet of printmedia or a photoconductive member. For convenience, each type ofsubstrate 42 may be referred to by the element number 42, for example,print media 42.

Supply item 32 can be, for example, an ink supply tank, an ink jetcartridge, a toner tank, or an electrophotographic process (EP)cartridge, each of which containing a supply of an imaging substance,such as for example ink or toner, that is consumed during an imagingprocess. Imaging apparatus 12 uses the imaging substance contained insupply item 32 to form an image on print media 42. Print media 42 canbe, for example, sheets of paper, fabric or transparencies.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that image recording unit 30 andsupply item 32 may be formed as individual discrete units, or may becombined in an integral unit, these options being depicted by dashedline 46.

Preferably, supply item 32 has mounted thereto a memory 44 for storinginformation relating to supply item 32, such as for example, a supplyitem identification number, a value representing a digital signature(DS), a value representing an amount of usage of supply item 32, and avalue representing time. For example, thirty-two or more bits in memory44 may be reserved for the supply item identification number, which maybe set by the manufacturer; eighteen or more bits in memory 44 may bereserved for the supply item digital signature; eight or more bits maybe used as a usage gauge to maintain a record of usage of supply item 32with each bit representing a level of depletion of imaging substancefrom supply item 32; and seven or more time tracking bits may be used torepresent time, such as for example, the amount of time since supplyitem 32 was first installed in imaging apparatus 12. By attaching memory44 to supply item 32, in essence, information stored in memory 44associated with supply item 32 can travel with supply item 32 from oneimaging apparatus to another.

The digital signature for supply item 32 is generated by combining theidentification number with a digital key using a predefined algorithm.The digital key is used for encryption and decryption of digitalinformation. The digital key, digital signature and identificationnumber, and optionally other information, are used to verify theauthenticity of supply item 32. The algorithm by which the digitalsignature is generated is not critical to the present invention, andmany prior art methods may be adapted for use with the presentinvention. For example, it is contemplated that the digital signaturecould be created using a single secret key approach, or could begenerated using a public key/private key approach. In a simple approach,for example, the digital signature could be generated by simplylogically XORing the identification number with the digital key.

In implementations where supply item 32 is subject to a usage license,an initial supply amount of imaging substance contained in supply item32 may be greater than the licensed amount of the imaging substance. Forexample, the initial supply amount of the imaging substance contained insupply item 32 can be, for example, at least two times greater than theoriginal licensed amount. It is important to note, however, that whilethe initial amount of imaging substance supplied with imaging apparatus12 and/or supply item 32 is more than sufficient to accommodate one ormore license renewals, the customer has been required to pay only forthe licensed amount at the time of the original purchase.

ASIC 34 includes an embedded processor and associated memory forexecuting program instructions to facilitate printing, and circuitry tofacilitate communication with external devices, such as host 14 ande-commerce server 18. In addition, ASIC 34 may include an encryption keymodule 47, implemented as firmware or alternatively as hardware, forstoring the digital key and an associated encryption/decryptionalgorithm, and in turn execute program steps associated with theencryption/decryption algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information usingthe digital key. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the encryptionkey module 47 may be located elsewhere, such as for example, on thesilicon containing supply item memory 44, at some other location inimaging apparatus 12, located in an imaging driver 48 of host 14, orlocated in local server 22. The decision where to locate encryption keymodule 47 may be based on, for example, on the particular use of system10, whether a usage license travels with imaging apparatus 12 or withsupply item 32, a desire to provide heightened security against physicaltampering, and/or, a desire to provide heightened security againstunauthorized programming access, such as by hackers.

Host 14 may be, for example, a personal computer including a displaydevice 16, an input device (e.g., keyboard), a processor, input/output(I/O) interfaces, memory, such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and a mass datastorage device, such as a hard drive, CD-ROM and/or DVD units. Duringoperation, host 14 includes in its memory a software program includingprogram instructions that function as an imaging driver 48 for imagingapparatus 12. Imaging driver 48 is in communication with ASIC 34 ofimaging apparatus 12 via communications link 24. The imaging driver 48serves to facilitate communications between imaging apparatus 12 ande-commerce server 18. In addition, the imaging driver 48 serves in thetraditional role of providing formatted print data to imaging apparatus12.

E-commerce server 18 may be operated by a manufacturer, such as by themanufacturer of imaging apparatus 12 and/or supply item 32. E-commerceserver 18 provides, and has access to, a database 50 for facilitatinge-commerce transactions via the Internet or telephone line, and forstoring information relating to the e-commerce transactions andinformation relating to the imaging apparatus and/or supply itemsassociated with such e-commerce transactions. Thus, e-commerce server 18may be used in communicating with a customer and/or a connected device,such as an imaging apparatus or a supply item.

In some methods of the invention, however, e-commerce server 18 may beused as a standard commerce server for facilitating traditional commercetransactions without necessarily resorting to Internet or phone lineconnections.

For some methods of the invention, database 50 includes capacity forstoring the identification number for each imaging apparatus and/or eachsupply item to which the transaction(s) may be directed, as well as aset of digital keys, with each identification number having associatedtherewith at least one digital key. Further, e-commerce server 18 cangenerate a digital signature in the manner described above for aparticular supply item, or for a particular imaging apparatus.

Communications link 24 may be established by a direct cable or awireless connection, or by a network connection such as for example anEthernet local area network (LAN). Communications links 38 and 40 may beestablished by using standard electrical cabling or bus structures, orby wireless connections.

Communications link 26 is preferably established by an Internetconnection, or via a wide area network (WAN). Alternatively, however,communications link 26 graphically represents a communication by acustomer who physically visits the premises of e-commerce server 18, ora telephone link to e-commerce server 18.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B there is shown one method of theinvention for licensing extra functionality after an initialtransaction.

Step S100 represents an initial transaction, wherein a customer hasacquired supply item 32 with an initial amount of imaging substance.Supply item 32 could be, for example, an ink jet printhead cartridgewith an initial amount of ink that was licensed for use with the ink jetprinthead cartridge.

At step S102, it is determined whether the initial licensed amount ofimaging substance has been depleted. Such a determination can be madebased on a variety of factors, such as by counting the number of imagingpixels generated, the number of pages printed, or time of usage. Basedon the usage criteria selected, individual bits of the usage gauge inmemory 44 are set as the amount of usage increases beyond certainpredetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supply item 32,ASIC 34 may write information to the usage gauge in memory 44 when eachthreshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurement of theamount of imaging substance consumed from supply item 32. For example,if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be set atapproximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substancecontained in supply item 32. When the eighth bit is set, it is deemedthat the imaging substance in supply item 32 has been depleted to apoint where only a very limited amount of continued printing can beperformed.

If, at step S102, the determination is NO, then the process remains inthe monitoring loop of step S102.

If, at step S102, the determination is YES, then the process proceeds tostep S104.

At step S104, ASIC 34 informs imaging driver 48 of the depletion ofimaging substance in supply item 32. In turn, imaging driver 48 causes amessage to be displayed on display 16 that informs the customer thatsupply item 32 is depleted, or is close to being depleted, and querieswhether the customer would like to renew the supply item. Display 16 mayfurther display a list of possible supply item renewal options that areavailable to the customer, such as for example: self-renewal of thesupply item, original manufacturer renewal of the supply item, or thirdparty remanufacturer renewal of the supply item.

If, at step S104, the customer does not desire to renew supply item 32,then at step S106 a message is displayed on display 16 asking thecustomer to return the spent supply item 32 to the manufacturer forrecycling or for environmentally friendly disposal. To facilitate such areturn, the manufacturer may supply a prepaid shipping container to thecustomer at the time of the initial purchase of supply item 32.

If, at step S104, the customer desires to renew the supply item, adetermination is then made by the customer as to how the renewal ofsupply item 32 will take place.

At step S108, it is determined whether the customer wants to self-renewthe supply item, such as for example, through the use of a refill kitavailable from a third party and the acquisition of a new license fromthe manufacturer. Alternatively, such self-renewal may require only anew license if supply item 32 originally included sufficient imagingsubstance to accommodate multiple licenses.

If, at step S108, the determination is YES, the process proceeds to stepS110.

At step S110, the customer contacts the manufacturer to purchase alicense to allow the customer to self-renew the supply item. Uponpurchase of the license, the manufacturer supplies to the customer a newdigital signature (DS) to be stored in memory 44 of supply item 32 thatwill enable continued use of supply item 32.

In one embodiment, the customer may contact the manufacturer via host 14or user interface 28, and e-commerce server 18, to initiate the licensepurchase, and upon payment, will then receive a download of a valid,e.g., new, digital signature from e-commerce server 18. The details ofstep S110 are more fully described below with respect to FIG. 3.

Other possibilities for providing the new digital signature to thecustomer include procurement via telephone or mail, wherein the digitalsignature code is supplied to the customer for manual installation, orprocurement via an authorized outlet store.

At step S112, it is contemplated that the customer may want to purchasea lifetime license for unlimited renewals, or may choose to purchase asingle renewal license. If a lifetime license is purchased for thatparticular supply item, then the customer is able to renew the cartridgeas many times as practical, limited only by the lifetime of the supplyitem components. If, however, the customer chooses to purchase thesingle renewal license, then the process returns to step S102.

If, at step S108, the customer chooses not to self-renew supply item 32,then the process proceeds to step S114, where it is determined whetherthe customer wants to renew supply item 32 via the supply itemmanufacturer.

If at step S114 the determination is YES, then the process proceeds tostep S116 (FIG. 2B) for renewal via the manufacturer.

At step S116, the customer sends supply item 32 back to the manufacturerfor renewal. Depending upon the renewal program, the renewal may be assimple as refilling supply item 32 with imaging substance and loading anew digital signature in memory 44 to make supply item 32 suitable forcontinued use. A more elaborate renewal, in the context of an ink jetprinthead cartridge, for example, could include cleaning of thecartridge nozzle plate and a test of electrical components on supplyitem 32. Further, the renewal may be in the form of a replacement forsupply item 32, so as to provide a suitable supply item to the customeras soon as possible.

At step S118, the manufacturer returns to the customer a suitable supplyitem 32, which as mentioned above, could be either the renewed originalsupply item 32 or a replacement for supply item 32.

The process then returns to step S102 wherein the renewed supply item isreinstalled in imaging apparatus 12, and monitoring of usage isreinitiated.

If, at step S114, the determination is NO, then the process proceeds tostep S120 (FIG. 2B) for renewal via an authorized third partyremanufacturer.

At step S120, the customer pursues renewal of supply item 32 via a thirdparty remanufacturer. As shown by the steps to the left of step S120,the remanufacturer is authorized by the manufacturer at steps S150 andS152 to perform license renewal of supply item 32.

At step S150, the remanufacturer negotiates with the manufacturer toprovide licensed renewals of a predetermined number X of supply items,such as supply item 32.

At step S152, the manufacturer grants permission to the remanufacturerto generate X number of valid digital signatures that are available foruse with the number X of supply items. Accordingly, at step S120 theremanufacturer replenishes the imaging substance supply in supply item32 and loads a new digital signature in supply item 32. The details ofstep S120 will be further described below with respect to FIG. 4.

The process then returns to step S102 wherein the renewed supply item isreinstalled in imaging apparatus 12, and monitoring of usage isreinitiated.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an e-commerce transaction involving themanufacturer and the customer which may occur, for example, at step S110described above with respect to FIG. 2A.

At step S200, the manufacturer has established an e-commerce storeutilizing e-commerce server 18 to handle the e-commerce transactions.Referring to FIG. 1, the customer may communicate with e-commerce server18 via host 14 and communications link 26, or directly from imagingapparatus 12 via user interface 28 and communications link 41.E-commerce server 18 is configured to generate a digital signature thatis needed to renew supply item 32.

At step S202, communications are initiated between the customer and themanufacturer regarding the renewal of supply item 32. The customer thensupplies to the manufacturer the predetermined information necessary togenerate the digital signature. At a minimum, the predeterminedinformation will include the identification number assigned to thesupply item prior to its initial use. Other information that may beincluded could be the type of printhead, e.g., monochrome or color, themodel number of the supply item, the lot number of the supply item,and/or the identification number of imaging apparatus 12. Thispredetermined information is compiled by ASIC 34 and then supplied toe-commerce server 18.

Once e-commerce server verifies the apparent authenticity of therequest, then at step S204 e-commerce server 18 provides to the customerthe payment options which may be available, e.g., through an existingaccount, credit card, debit card, etc., for paying for a license for therenewal of the supply item. The customer then submits the license fee toacquire a license to complete the renewal of the supply item.

At step S206, the manufacturer supplies via e-commerce server 18 the newdigital signature for supply item 32. The digital signature is thenprocessed by imaging apparatus 12 and stored in memory 44 of supply item32. Associated with the digital signature in memory 44 is a new set ofusage bits used in tracking usage of supply item 32. ASIC 34 verifiesthat the digital signature is proper for supply item 32 via the digitalkey stored in encryption key module 47. Once verified, supply item 32 isready for continued use. If verification fails, the customer would be soadvised via display 16 or user interface 28.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a commerce transaction involving anauthorized remanufacturer (see steps 150 and 152 of FIG. 2B) and thecustomer which may occur, for example, at step S120, as described abovewith respect to FIG. 2B.

At step S300, corresponding generally to steps S150 and 152 describedabove, the capability to create digital signatures is provided by themanufacturer to the remanufacturer via a digital signature (DS)assignment device 52 (see FIG. 1). DS assignment device 52 is capable ofcreating a predetermined number X of digital signatures, wherein thesupply item is electrically coupled to DS assignment device 52 and a newdigital signature would be generated. In exchange, the remanufacturerpays a license fee associated with the digital signatures. DS assignmentdevice 52 includes a hardware circuit that is configured or programmedto create digital signatures in a manner essentially the same as thatwhich occurs in e-commerce server 18, as more fully described above, andthen writes the digital signature into memory 44. In particular, storedin DS assignment device 52 would be at least one digital key and adigital signature creation algorithm. For example, the digital signaturewould be created for supply item 32 by DS assignment device 52 using, ata minimum, the digital key and the identification number of supply item32. Once DS assignment device 52 has created the predetermined number Xof digital signatures, DS assignment device 52 can be recharged by themanufacturer for creating additional digital signatures.

At step S302 supply item 32, including its identification number, issubmitted to the remanufacturer to receive a new digital signature and,if necessary, for replenishment with imaging substance. Theremanufacturer may receive supply item 32 directly from the customer, oralternatively, the remanufacturer may receive supply item 32 from acollection source.

At step S304, the customer then submits a fee, such as for example alicense fee and/or a remanufacture fee, or other fee, to theremanufacturer.

At step S306, the remanufacturer supplies the new digital signature forsupply item 32 by writing the digital signature to memory 44 of supplyitem 32 via DS assignment device 52.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for licensing after an initialtransaction of a customer obtaining a current supply item, such assupply item 32.

At step S350, the customer obtains a supply item, such as supply item32. The customer may have obtained supply item 32, for example, via apurchase, or a promotional sponsored by the supply item manufacturer.Supply item 32 may be obtained as an individual unit, or may be one of aplurality of supply items in a multi-pack.

At step S352, the customer is prompted to acquire a license for use ofsupply item 32. The prompting may occur, for example, upon installationof supply item 32 in imaging apparatus 12, via a message generated atdisplay 16 or user interface 28. The actual acquisition of the licensemay occur, for example, through an e-commerce transaction substantiallyas described above with respect to FIG. 3 (steps S202-S206), with theexception that in this case supply item 32 may be either new or renewed,but in any event, supply item 32 is in need of a license to enable use.In summary, the acquisition includes the steps of establishing acommunications link between an e-commerce server and the customer;initiating communications between the customer and the e-commerceserver; the customer supplying to the e-commerce server predeterminedinformation necessary to generate a digital signature for supply item32; the customer submitting a license fee to acquire the usage licensefor supply item 32; and the e-commerce server supplying the digitalsignature for supply item 32.

At step S354, it is determined whether an additional supply item is tobe installed. The additional supply item may be another supply item ofthe multi-pack, or may simply be another supply item separatelyobtained. It may be that the customer wants to install the additionalsupply item concurrently with supply item 32 in imaging apparatus 12.Alternatively, the additional supply item may be installed in adifferent imaging apparatus from that of supply item 32.

As a further alternative, it may be that the additional supply item isto replace supply item 32 if the licensed imaging substance in supplyitem 32 is depleted, wherein this determination may be madesubstantially as described above with respect to step S102 of FIG. 2A.This depletion determination may be made, for example, based on acounting of a number of imaging pixels generated, counting a number ofpages printed, or determining a time of usage.

If, at step S354, the determination is NO, the process remains in themonitoring loop of step S354.

If, at step S354, the determination is YES, the process proceeds to stepS356.

At step S356, the customer is prompted to acquire an additional licensefor use of the additional supply item. Depending on the circumstances,as in the examples given in discussing step S354 above, the additionallicense may be held concurrently with the license for supply item 32, inthe event that the license for supply item 32 has not expired due todepletion of the licensed amount of imaging substance in supply item 32.Alternatively, the additional license may be a replacement for thelicense for supply item 32, in the event that the license for supplyitem 32 has expired due to depletion of the licensed amount of imagingsubstance in supply item 32. The prompting and acquisition of theadditional license may be completed, for example, substantially asdescribed above in step S352.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction.

At step S400, the customer purchases a multi-pack of supply items, alongwith a license to use one of the supply items. This approach provides aconvenience to the customer of having a physical replacement for supplyitem 32 on hand, while only having the initial expense associated withone supply item.

At step S402, it is determined whether the imaging substance in thefirst supply item has been depleted. Such a determination can be madebased on a variety of factors, such as by counting the number of imagingpixels generated, the number of pages printed, or time of usage. Basedon the usage criteria selected, individual bits of the usage gauge inmemory 44 are set as the amount of usage increases beyond certainpredetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supply item 32,ASIC 34 may write information to the usage gauge in memory 44 when eachthreshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurement of theamount of imaging substance consumed from supply item 32. For example,if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be set atapproximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substancecontained in supply item 32. When the eighth bit is set, it is deemedthat the imaging substance in supply item 32 has been depleted to apoint where only a very limited amount of continued printing can beperformed.

If, at step S402, the determination is NO, then the process remains inthe monitoring loop of step S402.

If, at step S402, it is determined that the first supply item isdepleted, the process proceeds to step S404.

At step S404, the customer is prompted via host 14 or user interface 28to install a new supply item from the multi-pack.

At step S406, the customer is prompted to acquire a license for thenewly installed supply item, such as for example, through an e-commercetransaction substantially as described above with respect to FIG. 3(steps S202-S206).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction.

At step S500, the usage of supply item 32 is monitored. Such monitoringcan be performed based on a variety of factors, such as by counting thenumber of imaging pixels generated, the number of pages printed, or timeof usage. Based on the usage criteria selected, individual bits of theusage gauge in memory 44 are set as the amount of usage increases beyondcertain predetermined thresholds. For example, during usage of supplyitem 32, ASIC 34 may write information to the usage gauge in memory 44when each threshold level is reached based on an estimate or measurementof the amount of imaging substance consumed from supply item 32. Forexample, if eight bits are used as the usage gauge, a bit could be setat approximately each twelve percent of depletion of imaging substancecontained in supply item 32, with the seventh bit representing the “nearempty” condition.

At step S502, it is determined whether the supply item is near emptybased on the status of the usage gauge in memory 44 of supply item 32,which may be performed by ASIC 34. In the example described above, whenit is detected that the seventh bit is set, it is deemed that theimaging substance in supply item 32 has been depleted to a point wheresupply item 32 is near empty.

If, at step S502, the determination is NO, then the process remains inthe monitoring loop of step S502.

When the determination at step S502 is YES, the process proceeds to stepS504 wherein the manufacturer is notified that the customer has nearlyexhausted the available imaging supply in supply item 32. Suchnotification can occur automatically when ASIC 34 senses that the supplyitem is “near empty” by initiating communication with e-commerce server18. Communications with e-commerce server can be via host 14 andcommunications link 26, or alternatively, via imaging apparatus 12 andcommunications link 41.

Alternatively, such notification can occur interactively, wherein ASIC34 informs imaging driver 48 of the depletion of imaging substance insupply item 32. In turn, imaging driver 48 causes a message to bedisplayed on display 16 that informs the customer that supply item 32 isnear empty, and provides information on how to contact the manufacturerto receive a new supply item. For convenience, the contact may be madevia host 14 and e-commerce server 18.

At step S506, the manufacturer sends a new supply item to the customer.Accompanying the new supply item can be a request asking the customer toreturn the spent supply item 32 to the manufacturer for recycling or forenvironmentally friendly disposal. To facilitate such a return, themanufacturer may supply a prepaid shipping container to the customerwith the new supply item.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of another method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction which may be applied to adevice, such as for example imaging apparatus 12 and/or supply item 32.The concept of this method is to provide to the customer the ability tocustomize imaging apparatus 12 and/or supply item 32 based on thecustomer's imaging needs, while only having to purchase the featuresthat are needed or desired by the customer.

At step S600, the manufacturer makes available a device with apredetermined range “A” to “N” of imaging features. The variable “A”represents the minimum available features and the variable “N”represents the maximum available features. The available features mayinclude, for example, a variety of ranges of imaging qualities andresolutions, e.g., 4800 dpi, 2400 dpi, etc.; imaging speeds; paperhandling modes, e.g., simplex, duplex, dual tray; print modes, e.g.,photo quality, ink saver, edge-to-edge imaging; networking options; jobfinishing options; auto media sensing; auto printhead alignment; andphoto card reader availability, to name a few. For an all-in-oneapparatus, such features may further include scan resolution; documentscaling; image filtering, e.g., smoothing and sharpening; stand-alonecopying; stand-alone faxing; and data compression support, to name afew.

In addition, as a further option, the purchase or licensing of certainimaging apparatus features may permit the use of lower cost supplyitems.

Further, the use of a particular supply item may require the inclusionof certain necessary combinations of features in an imaging apparatus.For example, the use of a photo cartridge as supply item 32 mightrequire the purchase or licensing of the photo printing features inimaging apparatus 12.

A minimum features configuration might only include, for example,monochrome printing at resolutions of 600 dpi or less, whereas themaximum feature configuration would include all features available for aparticular imaging apparatus, supply item, or imaging apparatus/supplyitem combination. Each of the features, or combinations of features,will be provided to a customer as options available for purchase orlicense.

At step S602, an available feature list is provided to the customer forselection of desired features for a particular imaging apparatus and/orsupply item. If the device is an imaging apparatus, the list may beresident, for example, in ASIC 34, imaging driver 48 or e-commerceserver 18, or other suitable location. If the device is a supply item,then the list may be resident in memory 44, or alternatively in ASIC 34,imaging driver 48 or e-commerce server 18. In either case, the list isretrieved for display on display 16 and/or user interface 28. The listcan be as simple as an electronic checklist of individual features, ormay include a more comprehensive grouping of features which are known towork well together, and which may be selected as a group. Pricing forthe individual features or groups of features would also be displayed.

As a marketing tool, a manufacturer may promote certain features as agroup, or may also provide for free or at a reduced fee certain imagingfeatures for a trial period, e.g., higher print speed, enhancedresolution imaging, etc., wherein after the trial period those featureswould no longer be available unless the customer desires to keep thosefeatures, and the customer submits the appropriate fee.

At step S604, the customer makes the desired selections by makingappropriate entries at host 14 or user interface 28 using, for example,a web browser, which in turn then transmits the customer's desiredselections, along with appropriate identification data, to e-commerceserver 18 for processing. In addition, arrangement for payment of theappropriate fee for the selected features is made, e.g., credit cardpayment, or charges to a previously established revolving creditaccount.

At step S606, the desired features selected for the device are enabled.The enabling may occur, for example, via e-commerce server 18 whichresponds to the customer's selections with a digital signature that isassociated with the device's identification number, and which includesthe code needed to enable the selected features for use.

At this point, the particular imaging apparatus and/or supply item isready for use. However, it may be that the customer's imaging needs ordesires change from that represented by the features that wereoriginally selected. If so, the process proceeds to step S608.

At step S608, it is determined whether the customer desires to changethe previously selected features. If NO, the process ends. If YES, thenthe process returns to step S602 at which time the feature list is againdisplayed on display 16 and/or user interface 28. This gives thecustomer the ability to upgrade to a device, e.g., imaging apparatusand/or supply item, with more features, without having to purchase anentirely new device.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. A method for licensing functionality after an initial transaction,comprising the steps of: determining whether an initial licensed amountof an imaging substance in a supply item has been depleted, said supplyitem being subject to a usage license; informing a customer of saiddepletion of said imaging substance in said supply item; queryingwhether said customer would like to renew said supply item; displaying alist of possible supply item renewal options that are available to saidcustomer, wherein said possible supply item renewal options comprise atleast one of a self-renewal of said supply item, a renewal of saidsupply item by a manufacturer of said supply item, and a third partyremanufacturer renewal of said supply item; and if said customer choosesto renew said supply item, the method further comprising the steps of,said customer purchasing a new license to renew said supply item; andsaid customer receiving a new digital signature for said supply item. 2.A method for licensing functionality after an initial transaction,comprising: determining whether an initial licensed amount of an imagingsubstance in a supply item has been depleted, said supply item beingsubject to a usage license; informing a customer of said depletion ofsaid imaging substance in said supply item; querying whether saidcustomer would like to renew said supply item; and if said customerchooses to renew said supply item, the method further comprising, saidcustomer purchasing a new license to renew said supply item; and saidcustomer receiving a new digital signature for said supply item, whereinsaid customer chooses to renew said supply item via a third partyremanufacturer, and wherein said third party remanufacturer becomesauthorized by said manufacturer to renew said supply item by the stepsof: negotiating with said manufacturer to provide licensed renewals of apredetermined number X of supply items; and receiving from saidmanufacturer permission to generate X number of digital signatures thatare available for use with said number X of supply items.
 3. A method ofperforming an e-commerce transaction through a communications linkbetween an e-commerce server and a customer, comprising: initiatingcommunications between said customer and said e-commerce serverregarding a renewal of a supply item; said customer supplying to saide-commerce server predetermined information necessary to generate adigital signature for said supply item; said customer submitting alicense fee to acquire a license to complete said renewal of said supplyitem; and said e-commerce server supplying said digital signature forsaid supply item, wherein said predetermined information includes anidentification number assigned to said supply item prior to an initialuse of said supply item, and wherein said predetermined informationfurther includes at least one of a type of printhead for said supplyitem, a model number of said supply item, a lot number of said supplyitem, and an identification number of an imaging apparatus using saidsupply item.
 4. A method for licensing after an initial transaction of acustomer obtaining a current supply item, said method comprising thestep of prompting said customer to acquire a usage license for saidcurrent supply item, wherein said step of prompting comprises the stepsof: establishing a communications link between an e-commerce server andsaid customer; initiating communications between said customer and saide-commerce server; said customer supplying to said e-commerce serverpredetermined information necessary to generate a digital signature forsaid current supply item; said customer submitting a license fee toacquire said usage license for said current supply item; and saide-commerce server supplying said digital signature for said currentsupply item.
 5. A method for licensing after an initial transaction of acustomer obtaining a current supply item, said method comprising thesteps of: prompting said customer to acquire a usage license for saidcurrent supply item; said customer obtaining said usage license for saidcurrent supply item; determining whether a licensed imaging substance insaid current supply item has been depleted; wherein if said currentsupply item is depleted, then performing the further steps of: promptingsaid customer to install another supply item; and prompting saidcustomer to acquire an additional license for said another supply item.6. The method of claim 5, wherein said determining step is based on atleast one of counting a number of imaging pixels generated, counting anumber of pages printed, or determining a time of usage.
 7. A method forlicensing extra functionality after an initial transaction, comprising:a customer purchasing a multi-pack of supply items and a license to usea first supply item of said supply items of said multi-pack; determiningwhether an imaging substance in said first supply item has beendepleted; wherein if said first supply item is depleted, then performingthe further steps of: prompting said customer to install a second supplyitem from said multi-pack; and prompting said customer to acquire a newlicense for said second supply item, wherein said determining step isbased on at least one of counting a number of imaging pixels generated,counting a number of pages printed, or determining a time of usage.
 8. Amethod for licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction,comprising the steps of: providing an e-commerce server forcommunicating with a customer; monitoring usage of a first supply item;determining whether said first supply item is near empty; causing amessage to be displayed that informs said customer that said firstsupply item is near empty, and providing information to said customer onhow to contact a manufacturer to receive said new supply item; notifyingsaid manufacturer that said first supply item is near empty byinitiating a communication with said e-commerce server; and saidmanufacturer responding to said notifying by sending a new supply itemto said customer.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said contact is madevia said e-commerce server.
 10. A method for licensing extrafunctionality after an initial transaction, comprising the steps of:providing a device with a predetermined range “A” to “N” of imagingfeatures, wherein “A” represents minimum available features for saiddevice and “N” represents maximum available features for said device;providing to a customer an available feature list for selection ofdesired features for said device; said customer making said selection ofsaid desired features for said device and communicating said selectionto a manufacturer of said device; and said manufacturer enabling saiddesired features selected for said device.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein said customer communicates said selection to an e-commerceserver operated by said manufacturer.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein said e-commerce server responds to said selection with a digitalsignature that is associated with an identification number for saiddevice, said digital signature including a code needed to enable saiddesired features for use.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein saidimaging features include at least one of scan resolution, documentscaling, image filtering, stand-alone copying, stand-alone faxing, anddata compression support.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein saidavailable feature list is provided to said customer for selection ofsaid desired features via an e-commerce transaction.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein said available feature list includes an electronicchecklist of individual features.
 16. The method of claim 10, whereinsaid available feature list includes a grouping of features which workwell together, and which may be selected as a group.
 17. The method ofclaim 10, wherein certain imaging features are promoted as a group. 18.The method of claim 10, wherein certain imaging features are promoted byoffering said certain imaging features at one of free or at a reducedfee for a trial period.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein saidcustomer makes said selection via a web browser operating on a host. 20.The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of determiningwhether said customer desires to change said selection.
 21. The methodof claim 20, wherein if said customer desires to change said selection,then repeating said step of providing to said customer said availablefeature list for selection of desired features for said device.
 22. Themethod of claim 10, wherein said device is an imaging apparatus.
 23. Themethod of claim 10, wherein said device is a supply item.
 24. A methodfor licensing extra functionality after an initial transaction,comprising: providing a device with a predetermined range “A” to “N” ofimaging features, wherein “A” represents minimum available features forsaid device and “N” represents maximum available features for saiddevice; providing to a customer an available feature list for selectionof desired features for said device; said customer making said selectionof said desired features for said device and communicating saidselection to a manufacturer of said device; and said manufacturerenabling said desired features selected for said device, wherein saidimaging features include at least one of a variety of ranges of imagingqualities and resolutions, imaging speeds, paper handling modes, printmodes, networking options, job finishing options, auto media sensing,auto printhead alignment, and photo card reader availability.